High Desert and Prehistoric Peaks
A three-state journey across the Great Basin and the Colorado Plateau. This route bridges California’s high desert with Nevada’s mining heritage and Utah’s fossil-rich landscapes, following the corridors of US-95 and US-6.
- Tonopah Historic Mining Park
- Cathedral Gorge State Park
- Quarry Exhibit Hall
Mojave Crossing and Mining Heritage
Palmdale City Hall
Palmdale City Hall, Palmdale, California, US
Red Rock Canyon State Park
Red Rock Canyon State Park, Cantil, California, US
Tonopah Historic Mining Park
Tonopah Historic Mining Park, Tonopah, Nevada, US
Mizpah Hotel
Mizpah Hotel, Tonopah, Nevada, US
Nevada Spires to Iron County
Tonopah Station
Tonopah Station, Tonopah, Nevada, US
Cathedral Gorge State Park
Cathedral Gorge State Park, Panaca, Nevada, US
Cedar City Main Street
Cedar City Main Street, Cedar City, Utah, US
The Prehistoric Trail to Vernal
Utah Shakespeare Festival Grounds
Utah Shakespeare Festival Grounds, Cedar City, Utah, US
USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum
USU Eastern Prehistoric Museum, Price, Utah, US
Quarry Exhibit Hall
Quarry Exhibit Hall, Jensen, Utah, US
Vernal City Center
Vernal City Center, Vernal, Utah, US
- Fuel stops are sparse between Tonopah and Cedar City; ensure your tank is full before leaving town.
- Verify seasonal hours for the Quarry Exhibit Hall at Dinosaur National Monument.
- Check for high wind advisories when driving through the Mojave and Great Basin stretches.
- Day 1: 5h 8m driving — plan rest stops
- Day 3: 6h 34m driving — plan rest stops